Thursday Folders, September 10, 2026 UPDATE

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/11/2026 10:45 AM EDT

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Important Dates

Friday, September 11: Boosterthon Fun Run

Sunday, September 20: Asha Jyothi 5K Fun Run

Monday, September 21: Yom Kippur -- Holiday No School

Monday, October 12: Indigenous Peoples' Day -- No School

Wednesday, October 21: 3-hour Early Release

Friday, October 30: Quarter End, 2-hour Early Release

November 2-3: Teacher Workdays, No School

Principals' Message

Back to School Night Materials

Dear GBW Families,

Thank you for coming out last night to meet your teachers, learn about our curriculum, and to partner with the GBW staff to ensure we create an amazing school year for our children. Please see the attached link which contains our Principals’ Back to School Night presentation as well as the PTA presentation outlining the budget and activities for 2026-2027.

Thanks again everyone- 2026-2027…Let’s Go!

Mr. Blount and Mrs. Odom

New Visitor Management System

Our school now uses the Raptor Visitor Management System to improve safety and make visitor check-in easier and faster. The system checks visitors against the sex offender registry.

Check-in at the front office will remain the same. Visitors may also download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport to pre-verify their information and receive a QR code for faster check-in.

For questions or assistance, please contact the front office. Thank you for helping us keep our school safe.

Asha Jyothi 5K Run/Walk

Fairfax, VA

The 18th Annual Asha-Jyothi (AJ) 5K Run is a fun-filled family event with foot tapping music, delicious food and friendly course. It is a volunteer based non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the underprivileged by providing access to education and healthcare.

👟 Race Registration & Details:

Sunday Sept 20th, 2026. Fun Run at 8AM, 5K Run/Walk at 8:30AM

The 5K participation incentives are completely separate from the grant funding. Schools can earn up to $10,000 based on race participation
Incentive awards are discretionary funding—your school can decide where the money is needed most, whether that’s student programs, classroom resources, technology, STEM activities, or something else that directly benefits your students.
AJ returns 100% of the registration proceeds associated with your school back to the school, along with the applicable incentive
Incentives tied to Registrations:

25+ registrations → School receives additional $500;
50+ registrations → School receives additional $1,000;
100+ registrations → School receives additional $2,000;
250+ registrations → School receives additional $10,000

📅 Grant applications are due by Fri, Sep 11th, 2026.

Register Here:

https://asha-jyothi.redpodium.com/2026fairfax5k

Fall Picture Day

Fall Picture Day is coming!!

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Online purchasing is available and encouraged - it’s quick and easy! To place your order, click on the following link below and enter the ID:

https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/

Picture Day ID: EVTNT6Q6N

Picture packets must be purchased prior to picture day.

Paper order forms with the same purchasing information should be coming home in your student(s) Thursday Folders.

If you would like to volunteer for Picture Day and receive free picture voucher(s), please sign up here!

For questions regarding how to place your picture order, or the Lifetouch website itself, contact Lifetouch at 1-800-736-4753. This number is also indicated at the bottom of the MyLifetouch.com home page.

Safe Rides & Smart Choices

Safety Reminders for Bicycles, E-Bikes, Scooters, Dirt Bikes, and Other Motorized Devices

Below are some reminders from the Fairfax County Police Department regarding riders and families to understand what they are riding, where it may be used, and which laws apply.

Before You Ride

Research the device before purchasing or using it.
Know the laws and safety requirements.
Understand where the device may legally be used.
Make helmets and safe riding a requirement.
Supervise young riders and establish clear expectations.
Buying a device online or in a store does not necessarily mean it is safe or legal to use on public roads or trails.
Riders must follow all applicable traffic and pedestrian laws.
Violations may result in fines, criminal charges, serious injury, or death.

Bicycles and E-Bikes

A bicycle is powered only by human effort and generally has two or more wheels, a rider’s seat, and pedals.
An e-bike has:

A seat
Pedals
An electric motor of no more than 750 watts
No more than three wheels

E-bikes are divided into three classes:

Class 1: The motor assists only while the rider is pedaling and stops at 20 miles per hour.
Class 2: The motor may propel the bike without pedaling and stops at 20 miles per hour.
Class 3: The motor may propel the bike without pedaling and stops at 28 miles per hour.

Helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders.
Class 3 e-bike riders under age 14 must be supervised by someone age 18 or older.
Bicycles and e-bikes are allowed on most sidewalks and trails unless signs prohibit them.
Bicycles and e-bikes may use bike lanes or regular vehicle lanes unless signs prohibit them.
On public roads, bicycles and e-bikes are considered vehicles and must follow all traffic signs, signals, and road rules.
E-bike motors may not be modified beyond the manufacturer’s specifications.

Mopeds

Mopeds have three wheels or fewer, a seat at least 24 inches high, and a gas, electric, or hybrid motor.
Helmets are required for all moped riders.
Mopeds must be registered with the Virginia DMV.
Mopeds must follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles when used on public roads.
Mopeds are not permitted in bike lanes.
A moped capable of traveling faster than 35 miles per hour is considered a motorcycle under Virginia law.

Motor-Driven Cycles and Auto-Cycles

These devices may have a gas engine under 150 cubic centimeters or an electric motor greater than 1,500 watts.
They have a seat less than 24 inches high and do not have a manufacturer-issued Vehicle Identification Number.
Helmets are required for riders under age 15.
These devices are not legal on public roads, sidewalks, or community trails.

All-Terrain Vehicles and Dirt Bikes

ATVs include off-road dirt bikes and three- or four-wheeled vehicles.
Helmets are required for all riders.
ATVs and dirt bikes are designed for off-road use only.
They are not legal on public roads, sidewalks, or community trails.
They may be used on private property only when the rider has written permission.

Scooters, Toys, and Personal Mobility Devices

This category includes electric-powered toys, motorized skateboards, scooters, and personal mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs, Segways, and hoverboards.
Helmets are required for riders under age 15.
Riders under age 14 must be supervised by someone age 18 or older.
Devices capable of traveling faster than 20 miles per hour are not legal on public roads, sidewalks, or community trails.
These devices may be used on private property only when the rider has written permission.

Safe rides. Smart choices. Save lives.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.

Importance of Strong Attendance Habits

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:

Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus

Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.

FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.

Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.

Advanced Academics

We invite you to attend a parent information session on Friday, September 25th, from 8:15-9:00 PM in the Cafeteria. This meeting will cover the continuum of advanced academic services available in FCPS, as well as details about the full-time screening process.

Advanced Academic Programs Information

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.

Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:

Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January 2026 may be referred by October 15, 2026.
Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.

FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.

All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting [NAME], School Testing Coordinator, at [EMAIL ADDRESS] by September 30.

Families are invited to attend an AAP information meetings, led by Michelle Wilbern, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):

AAP Continuum of Services and Full-Time AAP Identification: Friday, September 25^th from 8:15-9:00am in the Cafeteria. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS and about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.

For more information, please contact Michelle Wilbern, AART, at Mkwilbern@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.

Special Education Family Conference:

Connected Communities, Thriving Students

Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.

Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.

The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.

Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.

Fairfax County School Board

Please see the 2026-2027 Back to School Message Video Links for our Fairfax County Public Schools Board Members:

Closed Captions and Audio Track Instructions

Ricardy Anderson - for Mason District Schools

Sandy Anderson - for Springfield District Schools

Tom Dannan - for Braddock District Schools

Seema Dixit - for Sully District Schools

Mateo Dunne - for Mount Vernon District Schools

Karl Frisch - for Providence District Schools

Robyn Lady - for Dranesville District Schools and TJHSST

Kyle McDaniel - represents all schools

Ryan McElveen - represents all schools

Melanie Meren - for Hunter Mill District Schools

Ilryong Moon - represents all schools

Marcia St.John-Cunning - for Franconia District Schools

Superintendent Community

Conversations

Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

The following are Early Release Wednesdays for Greenbriar West ES:

October 21, 2026

December 2, 2026

February 10, 2027

May 5, 2027

Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.

Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.

The Importance of the Flu Vaccine

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:

Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.

Upcoming Flu Shot Events

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.